Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Constipation and abdominal pain
Introduction
Differential Diagnosis of Constipation and Abdominal Pain
| Diseases | History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | Other Findings | Diagnostic study of choice | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrolyts
[Ca, K, Mg] |
Biochemical tests | ||||||||||||||||
| GI symptoms | Extra GI symptoms | Abnormal gait | Anal protruding mass | DRE | Deep tendon reflex | FBS | TSH | ||||||||||
| Dysphagia | Abdominal pain | Anal pain | Rectal bleeding | Weight loss | Polyphagia, Polyuria, Polydipsia | Dry skin | Tremor | ||||||||||
| Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) | – | + | +/- | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Normal | Normal | Normal | Normal | Normal |
|
|
| Diverticulosis | – | + | – | + | – | – | – | – | – | – | Normal | Normal | Normal | Normal | Normal |
|
|
| Hirschsprung disease | – | + | – | + | + | – | – | – | – | – | Blood tinged glove | Normal | Normal | Normal | Normal | ||
| Cystic fibrosis | – | + | – | – | + | – | – | – | – | – | Normal | Normal | Normal | Normal | Normal |
|
|
| Lead poisoning | – | +++ | – | – | – | – | – | + | – | – | Normal | Normal | Normal | Normal | Normal |
| |
| Hypomagnesemia | – | + | – | – | – | – | – | + | – | – | Normal | ↓ | ↓↓ Mg | Normal | Normal |
| |
| Hypocalcemia/Hypercalcemia | – | + | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Normal | ↓ | ↓Ca/↑Ca | Normal | Normal |
| |
| Hypokalemia | – | + | – | – | – | – | – | – | +/- | – | Normal | ↓ | ↓K | Normal | Normal |
| |
Editor-In-Chief:
C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Eiman Ghaffarpasand, M.D. [2]